Homebase owners may close up to 40 stores

Up to 40 Homebase stores could be closed by its Australian owner, putting up to 2,000 jobs at risk. Wesfarmers paid £340m for the DIY chain in early 2016 and has been rebranding the stores under the Bunnings name. Between 20 and 40 of its stores are performing so poorly that they might have to be closed altogether, it said. Homebase has 250 stores across the UK and employs 12,000 people. Wesfarmers will announce the result of its review in June, so staff will have to wait until then to find out which stores are to close.